When the going gets rough... go gaited!
f o r g a i t e d h o r s e e n t h u s i a s t s
Photo of Ivory Pal by Cheri Prill Tennessee Walking Horse Issue August 2010
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Photo Credit: Linda Snyder of Picture Perfect Photography in Bunker Hill, IL.
Betsy Kelleher has compiled stories from mare owners across the country into her second book, MARES! (ya gotta love em)…Fifty Stories to Aid & Inspire Mare Owners. Visit her website for more information: www.goduseshorses.com.
I’m learning to see training possibilities all around me, using whatever is available. So when I arrived at the stable one morning to ride Lady, and the front yard trees were covered with toilet paper flowing from every branch, I of course wondered how Lady would react—and I was eager to take advantage of this rare opportunity!
I led her from her stall and walked her along the driveway at a distance. She looked but showed no fear, so I walked closer. She seemed interested but not bothered. Anything new usually causes a spook, so I was pleased at how well she accepted this unusual scene. Seeing no fear, I led her onto the lawn, walking between the trees. A breeze lifted one strand of white toward her and she stopped and backed up one step. I took the strand in my hand and assured her it was just paper. She immediately reached out with her nose and took a bite of leaves! Oops. OK, enough desensitizing. Back to the barn.
I rode Lady past the decorated lawn with no problems. Wish tractors were that easy. But I will keep working with whatever obstacles present themselves. Near the outdoor arena is a large black drain pipe—the perfect prop to teach a horse to pick up her feet. A pile of sawdust by the barn is covered with a large tarp, and I ride Rocky around it now and then, getting closer each ride. Rocky is still unsure of tarps, but recent efforts with a small piece of old tarp has been very rewarding. Every day, I have been rubbing him on both sides with that piece of tarp. I lay it over his back. I let him sniff it, and give him mints to encourage his bravery. He is snorting less and rarely backs off now.
Natural aids are everywhere! I once owned an Arab who wanted to go fast. So I rode where there were lots of trees, riding around them in figure 8’s and circles to slow him down. Another horse I owned was very stiff. I rode him into the corners of the arena, asking for bend. Riding into a wall also encourages a halt.
When I ride the half mile trail back to the wooded area, I do more than just ride the trail. One day, I taught Rocky to whoa on word command only. Lady still wants me to use leg and rein cues. She’s not a slow learner, but her personality prefers things her way.
Beside the trail, there is a deep ditch. One day I realized it was a perfect place to strengthen leg muscles, and I began taking Traveller down the side of the ditch and back up on our walks. Now I ride Rocky and Lady on the ditch as well, just one more exercise for muscle development and obedience.
Going Gaited On Line Equestrian Magazine
by Leonard Smith on 05/05/12
Yes, you can.... read this wonderful article!
by Leonard Smith on 04/29/12
For all of us using round hay bales, the question has always been which is the best feeder. Read this great article from the University of Minnesota.
by Leonard Smith on 04/28/12
Pasture Management is an issue we all deal with...
by Leonard Smith on 04/28/12
A Shetland pony with startlingly short legs has cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds, because passers-by think she is sinking in mud and keep ringing the emergency services.
